Wiring Harness Troubleshooting on a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder

Question:

Could you describe the output on the 4 connector trailer wiring harness. I want to make sure it matches the trailer. The Pathfinder I have looks to have this style harness yet the the problem is: Coming from the vehicle not counting the ground the brake lights are on one connector. The other 2 connectors have the parking lights and left, right turn signal. Heres the problem the trailer is wired so that the parking lights are on one connector and the brake lights and turn signals are on the other 2 connectors as your schematic indicates. There is no way to interface the 2 different schemes.

asked by: David P

Expert Reply:

If your 1996 Pathfinder was hard wired without a converter then you could see this problem. You need to check to be sure there is a converter installed inline on the trailer wiring harness on the vehicle. If there is not a converter you will need a new wiring harness and will need to eliminate the harness presently connected.

If there is a converter inline with the trailer connector to the vehicle taillights then start with the trailer disconnected and check the wires leading in to the converter. Check to be sure that the ground is securely attached to a good grounding point on the vehicle. Then going in to the converter you should have a white ground, yellow left turn, green right turn, red brake light, and brown taillight circuit. If all of these check out then check the connector and you should have stop and left turn on the yellow, stop and right turn on the green and taillights only on the brown wire. If the connector does not checkout on the output side but does on the input side then the converter has been shorted out or is bad for some reason and will need to be replaced. The best option for a replacement would be the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness, item # 118361.

From your explanation your trailer is wired correctly. Brown should be the parking lights, green right turn and stop and yellow left turn and stop, with the remaining white wire grounded to the trailer frame.

expert reply by: Robert G